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Ceremonials

On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Arts and Letters held its annual Ceremonial at the Church of the Intercession in Washington Heights, New York City, and inducted 24 new members and presented awards in Architecture, Visual Art, Literature, and Music. Literature Member Caryl Phillips delivered the keynote Blashfield Address, entitled Why Read?, and our highest awards were presented to Alice Aycock, Don DeLillo, Louise Erdrich, and Wendy Lesser.

Arts and Letters President Kwame Anthony Appiah delivers opening remarks
Toshiko Mori inducts Ricardo Scofidio into the Department of Architecture
Caryl Phillips delivers the Blashfield Address, entitled Why Read?
Rita Dove presents the Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts to Wendy Lesser
Amy Hempel presents the William Dean Howells Medal to Louise Erdrich, accepted by Terry Karten
Eric Fischl presents the Gold Medal for Sculpture to Alice Aycock
Joy Williams presents the Gold Medal for Fiction to Don DeLillo
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American Academy of Arts and Letters

Audubon Terrace New York, NY 10032
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Galleries Audubon Terrace Broadway between West 155 and 156 Streets New York, NY 10032

Closed for the summer Opening September 27, 2025

Office 633 West 155 Street New York, NY 10032

Office open by appointment


Galleries Audubon Terrace Broadway between West 155 and 156 Streets New York, NY 10032

Closed for the summer Opening September 27, 2025

Office 633 West 155 Street New York, NY 10032

Office open by appointment

(212) 368-5900
info@artsandletters.org